Lakay’s JR Torres takes the unbalanced jump shot during a masters division game of the 2023 Saipan MagaLahi Eagles Club Invitational Basketball League Thursday at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
The A Plus Team’s Joel Javier gets fouled as he extends for the finish during a masters division game of the 2023 Saipan MagaLahi Eagles Club Invitational Basketball League Thursday at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
THE A Plus Team and Bridge Capital defeated their respective opponents Thursday in the 2023 Saipan MagaLahi Eagles Club Invitational Basketball League at the Gualo Rai basketball court.
In the masters division, A Plus Team triumphed over Lakay, 67-59, in what started as a seesaw battle with several lead exchanges in the first half.
The opening quarter saw Lakay in control as Junie Camacho and Julius Domine found their range from beyond the arc to score a triple each as their team seized the lead, 13-10.
Domine continued to fire at will, aiming to stretch the gap, but the A Plus Team’s “Uncle Drew” Andrew Ashburn sizzled in the second quarter, delivering 12 points to give his team the lead, 28-25.
Lakay tried to take advantage while Ashburn was taking a breather, but they could only cut the deficit by the end of the third quarter.
During the last five minutes of the fourth and final quarter, Lakay’s JR Torres sank three trifectas to further cut the lead.
But the A Plus Team’s Oliver Rivera drained two shots while teammates Ashburn and Bryan Natividad contributed one each to stay ahead. Gab Camacho then finished strong, converting six points to seal the deal, 67-59, for the A Plus Team.
Bridge Capital vs 670 Rollers
In the open division, Bridge Capital outplayed the 670 Rollers, 90-77.
Defense was Bridge Capital’s strength as they turned each successful stop into fastbreak finishes on the other end to grab a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter.
The 670 Rollers tried to cook up a rally with Gino Asauo attacking from afar while Josh Norita forced his way inside the paint, but Bridge Capital had a ready answer on the other end en route to victory.
Scores
A Plus Team 67 – Andrew Ashburn 17, Oliver Rivera 13,Joel Javier 11, Galo Camacho 10, Bryan Natividad 7,Tim Wesley 5, De Shawn Reign 2, Ed Echavez 2
Lakay 59 – JR Torres 17, Julius Domine 16, Rudy Borja 6, Junie Camacho 6,Ramuel Agusto 4, Leo Condino 3, John Jugos 3, Ernesto Moises Jr. 3
***
Bridge Capital 95 – Gelo Genese 18, Khristian David 18, Ronald Bernardo 15,Michael Aparte 15, White Capalad 9, Chris Lilles 6, Ace Doca 6, Marco Gariguez 2, JJ Ramos 2, Nap Solis 2
670 Rollers 77 – Josh Norita 12, Gino Asauo 11, Freddy Pelisamen 10, Theron Factor 8, John Kae Raquepo 6, Nyrel Eugenio 5, John Paul Cruz 5, Edison Viana 4, Ronian Laxamana 2, Jonathan Ong 2, John Babauta 2, Chrisopher Sablan 1
